The R-rated cut of Evil Dead gets a new release date and a final say on that possible Bruce Campbell cameo

EVIL DEAD was revealed to have received an initial rating from the MPAA of NC-17 when it was initially submitted and now the R-rated cut of the film will be released a week early. With the Sandra Bullock/Melissa McCarthy comedy THE HEAT moving to the Summer, EVIL DEAD is filling that film's prior release date of April 5, one week earlier than it was previously set.

But, the question that remains for fans is whether this is truly going to be an EVIL DEAD film or another cheap knock-off of a classic horror movie. With Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell involved as producers, I have faith it would continue the legacy of the original trilogy. I was also holding out hope that we would get Bruce Campbell to cameo somehow, even if as a Deadite or Fake Shemp of some sort. But, Campbell once again confirmed he will not be appearing in the new film.

“I’m not at liberty to discuss [my possible cameo]. But the thing is we want it to be a standalone movie. You’re going to have some references [to the original] in there and there’s going to be things the fans will enjoy as far as familiar aspects, but it’s a whole new ball game.”

I guess with that in mind a cameo does not really fit in the new world of EVIL DEAD. I was still hoping this was the same cabin but with new victims, but this pretty much cements that EVIL DEAD and THE EVIL DEAD are two different movies.